Divider for drawers



Oct. 24, 1933-- Q B, CQQPER 1,931,891

DIVIDER FOR DRAWERS Filed Aug. 10, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1 mi r g "1| 50 420 "WW o I i /,?7 3k 0 W 41/ [:1 #4 #5 a 51 M g {9 [10122595 dam;

Oct. 24, 1933. Q COOPER 1,931,891

DIVIDER FOR DRAWERS Filed Aug. 10, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Illlllllll 10 (laadefl 00,961," 3&1, @MWVW dflio'mlna Oct. 24, 1933. c. B. COOPER DIVIDER FOR DRAWERS Filed Aug. 10, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Get. 24, 1933 ra'rss PATENT-OFFICE 1,931,891 nIvrDER Foe DnAwEns Claude 13. Cooper, Watertown, Mass.

Application August 1931. Serial No. 556,251

11 Claims. (01. 129-16) This invention relates to divider panels for index trays or drawers and has particular reference to divider panels which may be used as index stops, but-which permit extension of the 5 file. The instant invention provides a drawer panel or divider which is of simple and rugged con-v struction and which is designed to give long and continuous service. It also provides a divider 10 panel which may be used to separate one portion ofa file from another and at the same time permit of flexibility and separation of the various portions of the indexed material; anda divider, which will retain and maintain the indexed material in anupright position; a'divider panel, which when flexed or pushed to one side under pressure will return to and assume afixed position in the index drawer or -file; a divider panel which when flexed or pushed to one side in the index drawer or file with the indexed material contained in the drawer or file will cause such indexed material to returnto an upright position in the drawer or file. 1

i In the drawings: a p

Fig. l is a sideelevation of the instant device used in conjunction with 'a drawer' or tray of a filing cabinet or the like.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2 -2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a bearing member of the device.

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of a special type of anchoring member of the device.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modification of the device. l p V Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary showing of another modification of the device. 7

S is a section of a spring retaining member shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the special spring containing mechanism illustrated in Fig. 8.

Fig. is still another modification of the device in elevation.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view showing the special anchoring means.

Fig. 12 is a view on line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a view in perspective of the special anchoring means. 1 V r v 50 Fig. i l is a view in perspective of a lower corner of an index tray or drawer showing means whereby the special divider panel may be anchored therein.

Fig. 15 is still another modification of the im proved divider panel in elevation.

- Fig. 16 is an enlarged section on line 16-16 of Fig. 15. 1

Fig. 17 is an enlarged view in'perspective of the anchoring lever arm.

Fig. 18 is a view in perspective of a side of the to index drawer showing means for locking and supporting the drawer panel in a rockingrelationship.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the sidewalls of an index drawer or tray are designated generally at 20. The drawers are provided with longitudinally extending channels 21 formed at the juncture of the side walls 20 and the bottom 22 of the drawer. The drawer is also provided with the usual channel or trough 23 placed centrally of the-drawer in which the usual locking bar or red 24 is placed for guiding a divider or follower and bracing the cabinet.

An index divider panel or partition 25 is formed to fit'within the index drawer and to permit of free movement of the panel therein. Means are provided for attaching the panel or partition within the drawer whereby the panel may be rocked or moved from side to side. Outwardly extending ears 26 are formed upon the lower portion of the panel and provide suitable members upon which the anchoringmembers 27 (Fig. 4) may be readily attached in any desirable fashion, as for instance by welding or by means of screws or rivets. The upper portion of the panel is provided with means for receiving a bar member movable with respect to the panel; in Fig. Land,

a folded or bent portion 28 is provide'd which is adapted to receive for slidable movement therein the transverse bar;member 29.

The upper folded portion 28 is attached adjacent its lower edges to the upper edgeof the panel 25 as shown in- Fig. 2 by any desirable method, as for instance by spot-welding. The upper edge of the panel or partition 25 projects between the lower edges of the folded portion 28, which are contracted about the panel 25 to form a closed portion serving to retain the slidable bar 29 within predetermined limits. An aperture or slot 30 is provided in "the upper edge ofthe panel 25 and in the lower portion of the folded member '28 which allows a portion of the bar member 29 maybeemployed, and isp'rovided at each end 110 adjacent its upper edge with downwardly projecting fingers 31 spaced from the main body of the b r. Pin-receiving means are provided on the fingers 31 such as the bul ed portions 3.., and other bulged portions 33 are provided on an adjacent portion of the body member aligned with the bulged portions 32 to receive a pin 24. upon which bearing means such as the roller member or be ring member 35 ma be mounted to support the slidable bar 29 upon the upper edge 36 of the sides of the drawer or tray, as shown in Fig. 1. Means are provided for retaining bar 29 against theupper edge of the.

' panel 25, and to this end an aperture 37 is provided adjacent each end of the lower edge of member 29 for receiving and retaining the upper end of a coiled spring 38 which has its lower end attached to a portion of the panel meznber' 25, as for instance to the projecting cars 26.

The anchoring members 27 are secured as mentioned above to convenient portions of panel as for instance to the projecting ears 26,and each is adapted to cooperate with a'nxed portion of the drawer or tray and retain the panel memberat a desired position within the drawer. To this end, the shank 39 of the anchoring memberfis'bent angularly from the main portion of the body of the panel 25 and is provided with a horizontal foot portion ":0 and an upwardly projecting toe member 41. This anchoring mem ber isuadapted to engage with and receive one of a number of convenient strap portions {i2 (Fig. 2) which have been formed within the channels 21 at thebott of the side walls and anchor the panel in a fixed position within the drawer so that it is rockable about the anchoring point. f

Thus,.when the panel is inserted in an index tray or drawer to act as a divider panel or stop memben the panel is ordinarily inserted angularly within the drawer and the anchor members 27 engage a pair of strap -mernbers 42 upon. the shanks 39 or the anchors and slide-thereagainst to come to rest upon the foot portions so thereof.- Since the bar member 29 is normally of greater length than the width or the panel member the downwardly projecting fingers 31 and portions of the bearing members 35 extend beyond the upper edges 36 of the drawer and the bearing memcers 35 rest thereon. Under influence or". thetension of the coil springs 38 the bea'ing members 35 move upon the upper edges or the drawer and the divider panel is caused to assume an upright position inthe drawer as shown in Fig. 2 in full lines while the broken lines indicate the roclri g movement thereof. Where the panel is'inserted an index drawer between indexed material, the panelsmay be pushed to one side or'the cthen'as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2,-so as to provide ready access to the filed material and provide the adyantages of a flexible filing system where "the filed material is relatively extensible.

When the tiling operator has completed work within the filing drawer or tray the influence of the coiled spring members 38 and the bearing members 35 cause the dividerpaneltoassume an upright position and automatically.re-arranges the filed material in a vertical position within the drawer. e

, A modified form or construction of a panel is shown in Fig. 5 wherein the means for'insuring contact between the bearing members -35and the upper edges 36 of the sides or the drawer comprises a leaf spring which has bearing contact against the upper edge or" the bar member 29 and against the upper edge of the folded portion 23 of the panel and is advantageously interposed within the folded portion 28. The leaf spring 45 is retained in a fixed position within the folded member 28 by providing a spot or indentation 46 as shown in 6 to secure a curved portion 47 of the leaf spring and prevent displacement thereof. In all. positions of the panel removed from the vertical greater pressure is exerted by the leaf spring upon bar 29 and hence also greater lateral pressure exerted upon the bearing members 35 which have movable contact with the upper edges 36 of the side walls or" the drawer. Under such conditions, the panel is caused to move to a position of lessened lateral pressure and hence assumes an upright position in the tray and causes re-arrangement of indexed material therein so that the latter assumes a vertical position within the index drawer.

Another modification of the panel and resilient portions 50 are provided within the folded portion 28 of the panel and are adapted to receive therein the telescopic cup members 51 (Fig. 8).. Each upper telescopic member 51 is secured or wedged within the bulged portion 50 of the folded member 28 or" the panel and is adapted to receive therein a lower slidable telescopic member which has bearing contact at its lower edge upon a convenient portion of the bar 29. As shown in Fig. '7, this modification may be formed by providing slots 53 within the upper portion of the bar member for receiving the lower telescopic portions 52 and for retaining these members in telescoped relation with the upper members 51 against inadvertent displacement.

Compressed coil springs 5d are provided within the upper and lower telescopic members 51 and 52 so that a downward pressure is exerted at all times upon the transverse bar member 29 and when the panel is inserted within an index drawer or file the bearing members 35 are caused to exert pressure upon the upper edges 36 or the side walls 20 ofthe drawer and retain the panel nor .mally in upright and vertical position therein.

It will be readily apparent that this modification of the panel permits of rocking or swaying movement or the panel.

Another modification of the invention is shown in Fig. 10 wherein the panel 55 is provided with an upper portion 28 formed as described under Fig, l and provided with a transverse cross-bar 29 movable therein, also of the type as described above in Fig. 1. The lower edge of the panel 55 is provided with a curled or rolled edge 56 thereon (Fig. 12) providing a sleeve into one end of which is inserted the anchoring pin 57. An anchoring pin 58 movable within the sleeve is provided in the other end which is actuated a spring 59. Thus, as shown in Fig. 1 1, the sprig 591s provided within the lower rolled edge 56 of the panel and has bearing contact atone end against a stop member whichmay be in the form of a lug 60 out and pushed inwardly from the side of the panel. The other end of spring 59 has bearing contact with one end of the pin stop member 58. A slot 61, formed within a convenient portion or the rolled sleeve or edge member 56 provides a suitable receiving means for a stop I or tail piece "62 formed at the rear'end or" the anchoring pin 58. Thus, anchoring pin 58 1 lay be moved within the sleeve or rolled lower edge 56 of the panel and be retained therein by ongagement of the stop member 62 with the edges of the aperture 61.f.or ned within the sleeve or rond edge. H.

Suitable receiving and engagingmeans are providedforthe'anchoring pins 57, and ,58 for..re-f

m'ovable stop member 58 maybe placedwithin a convenient aperture- 64and apressure applied to the panel whereby the panel and sleeve 56 .will move upon the pin member 58 toward the "side of the index drawer whereby the companion pin member 57 maybeinserted in a suitable anchoring aperture formed in the companion strip 63 upon the other side of the drawer. Removal of the panel is accomplished readilyby exerting sidewise pressure upon the panel whereby the'pin moves within the slot a sumcient distanceto disengage'the companion pin 57 from its anchoring slot member so that the panel may bereadily removed. 8

Spring means 65 are provided to connect the bar 29ywith the lower end of the panel, as at 66 and 67 whereby sufficient pressure isinsured to cause engagement of the roller'means upon the upper'edges 36 of the side walls of the drawer.

'70 moved upwardly into a slot 74 in one side of the ,ohoring pin 70.

bar member as in the first form.

Under such conditions a panel of the type 'described and shown i'nFig. 10 willifassu'me an upright.position in the index drawer and will cause avertical positioning of the material filed therein; This particular modificationis adaptedfor use in index drawers currently in use by securing the apertured strip 63 adjacent thebe'ttorn edge of the side walls of the drawer. n v

A modified form of anchoring pin is shown in Fig. 14 wherein a dividerpanel is formed with a rolledflower edge 56 which is adap'tedto receive and retain a pin member or anchoring. member70. In this modification the lower portion'7l of the side walls 72 0f the index drawer are offset to receive the slotted member 37 3.} This member is placed adjacent to the loweredge of the side wall and conforms to thefcontours thereof so that a tightly fitted and securely held member is pro vided with spaced slots'74 for, receiving the an In order toretain the anchoring pin '76 withinthe slotted:portiohfli' l, the '1 pin '70 is provide with anenlarged end75 sogthat when the pin is inserted within manor sidewise' movem'ent of the panel willnot displace the anchoring-pin. This type of divider panel isflretainedjin secured position'within the drawer andanchorediwithin one of the" retaining's'lots 74' by frneans j of the coiled spring T6 which is attachedto a convenient portion of the anchoringpin and to the slidable In order to insert the panel in the index 'draw'er it is first inserted into the drawer at an acute angle to the side walls so that pin 70 can be subsequently inserted within the off-set portion '71 of the side wallby movingthe panel toward transversely extending relation in the drawer and pin drawer and the panel then moved into a transversely extending position in the drawer so that the companion pin will similarly engage within a slot member on the other side of thedrawer and be retained therein by the enlarged end thereon. Fig. 15 depicts an, embodiment of thepresent inventionwherein an index drawer is provided with sidewalls 81 which are formed with apertured recessed portions 82 longitudinally of the drawer and which areplaced substantially cen trallyof the drawer thereof. -Divider panels 83 are provided to fit withinthe index drawer and be retained therein in a normallyupright and vertical position but which areadapted for pivoted movement therein. 1

'The panels 83 are formed from suitable material such as folded sheet-metal to provide a space between the two sides of the panel for'receivingthe movable arms 84 and 85 which pivot about the pins 86 and 87, respectively. These arms are formed with downwardly projecting fingers at one end which are formed with convenient bulges, v

as in Fig. 3; for receiving a pinmember 34 and bearing member 35.

The upper central portion of the divider panel is formed with a recess therein through which the pivoted leverarm 88 projects and in which the armis manually operable. This arm is pivotally mounted at 91 and has attached thereto a supporting lever arm 90 at a point below the pivot point 91 so that movement of the lever arm will cause a movement of the arm 90 relative to the panel 83. Similarly; another supporting arm 92 is pivotally attached to the lever arm 88 at a point abovethe pivotal attachment of arm 88 to the panel 83, so thatmovement of the lever arm'88 willflmove arm 92 relative to the panel. 'Thus manual movement of arm' 88 produces movement "of arms 90 and 92 50 that the ends thereof are substantially flush with theside edges of the divider panel. j v

The supporting arms QO and 92 are formed, as shown in Figs. 15 and'17, with a projecting finger 101 formed thereon at one end which is provided with an upwardly extending knife edge'93 whose purpose will be made more clear hereinafter, and "suitable attaching means 9e at' the other end thereof. I I p v 7 I Stop members 95 are provided within the folded portions of the panel and the upper edges 96 thereof serve as stops'and retaining members for arms 84: and 85 when the'divider panel is removed fromthe index drawer. Lower edges 97 thereof also serve'as stop members for the arms 90 and 92 and at thesame time. these members serve as reinforcing members forthe panel and act to re-- tain thefsame in' undistorted form and condition.

Coil springs 98 and 99; are provided attached to the'pivoted arms '84 and 85 at one end thereof and to the supporting'arrns 92 and 90, respectively, at'the other end. i i g Thus it will be clearly seen that in order to insert the divider panellinto the index drawer the lever arm 88 is moved in a direction which will withdraw the "armsQO and 92 within the divider wardly from the panel and each finger 101 will project into an aperture 100 as shown in Fig. 18.

Upon release of the pressure on the top of the choring means attached to said panel for holding panel the "knife edges 93 'will produce rockable contact with the side wall to form apivot for panel 83. 1 It is thus clearly seen that the various forms and modifications of the instant invention "provide a divider panel for drawers of filing cabinets and the like which possesses the advantages that it functions as a stop member for the drawer and at the same time provides the advantages of a flexible or extensible filingcabinet, in that. the elements are movable and adapted to be adjusted toein'brace various kinds of filed matter.

Other forms and modifications ofthe inventidnare included in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: w j 1. In combination with anindex drawer of a file, a divider panel for the drawer having parts for detachable connection toparts carried by the drawer to "detachably hold said -panel in the drawer, a bar movably mounted adjacent a mar-'- g'inal portion of the panel, bearing'rneanson the bar for contact with a portion of the drawer, and means for resiliently holding said bearing means in contact with the drawe'rand cooperat ing to retain said panel in connected relation with the drawer 'for relative swinging movement about said connection.

2. In combination with an index drawer of a file, a divider panel for the drawer, comprising an upper folded portion, a bar adapted to, fit movably within said folded portion, bearing means at either end of said bar adapted'to lengage with the side wallsjof the drawer, anchoring means attached to the lower edge of the panel, means formed upon the index drawer for engaging said anchoring means, and resilient means engaging said bar and said panel for retaining the panel normally in an upright position within the drawer. v 3. In combination with an index drawer of a file, a divided panel for the drawer, a bar projecting beyond the side edge of said panel, said projecting portion being movable relative to said panel, bearing means upon said bar for engage-'- ment with a portion of said index drawer, an}

the panel within the drawer and permitting pivotal movement thereof, means formed upon the drawer for. receiving said anchoring means in pivotal engagement, and resilient means coacting with the panel and bar for retaining the panel in the drawer in a normally vertical position. 4. In combination with an index drawer of a file, a divider panel for the drawer, comprising amovable .bar retaining means attached to the panel for limiting movement of the bar, bearing means upon said bar for engagement with a portion of said index drawer, anchoring means pivotally connecting the panel to the drawer. and resil ient. means engaging said bar and said panel for yieldably retaining thepanel normally in an upright position within the drawer.

5. In combination with an index drawer of a mega divider panel for the drawer, comprising a folded upper portion, a bar movable within said folded portion, bearing means upon said bar .roi engagement with the drawer, anchoring means upon said panel, means upon the drawer for receiving said anchoring means, and a leaf spring engaging saidfolded portion 'of the panel and ass 1-,89 1:

said bar for retaining "the panel normally in an uprightposition within the dr awer w J In a panelior insertion in ,a drawer of a filing jde'vice, a divider panel adapted to be anchored within the drawer, a bar associated'with said panel and movable relative tojthe panel, bearing :m'eans upon saidbarfor; contact with and movement upon a portion of the drawer, means for anchoring the "panel the drawer, and means on the panel yieldably urging the bar and anchoring means toward each other. I v

7. ma panel iorinsertion in a drawer of a filing device, apanelmember, a bar associated with said panel member and movable relative thereto, bearing means uponsaidbar 'for engage-- ment with a portion of the drawer, ineansffor anchoring the panel member in the drawer, and yieldable means connected'to the panel memher and the bar for retaining the panel in an up right position in the drawer.

'8. In a panel for insertionin 'a drawer of a filing device, a panel inemiie", a bar "retained by the panel member and movable relative "thereto, {means .upon thebar for engagement with a portion ofthe drawer, means for anchoring the panel'm'emberin the drawer, and resilient means connected to the panel member and bar for re}- taining the drawer and panel member in movable assembled relation and yieldably resisting movement of the panel member from its normal position.

9. A. divider panel for insertionin a drawer or" a filing device, comprising a panel member,

a bar connected to the panel member'and mov able relative thereto, bearing means upon said bar for engagement with the drawer, anchoring 1 means upon said panel member, means upon the drawer for receiving said anchoring means, and coiled spring means having bearing contact with said panel member and said bar for yield'ablyfretaining the panel member normally in an upright position within the drawer. g 10. A divider panel for insertionin a drawer of a filing device, comprising afpanel member, a bar connected to said panelmember' andmovable relative thereto, bearing means upon said, bar for engagement with the drawer, an anchoring pin movably. mountedion said panel member, means upon the sides of the drawer for en gaging said anchoring pin whereby the panel member may rock thereon, and resilient means having operative relation to the bar and drawer for retaining the panelmernber normally in an upright position within thegdrawer. V

11. A divider panel for. insertion in a drawer of a filing device, comprising panel member, means connected to said panel member and move able relative thereto, said motion being restricted by portions 'of said panel, member, said means being adapted for engagement with said drawer,

anchoring bars movably mounted on said panel.

member, means upon saiddrawer for engaging said anchoring means. whereby the panel member mayrocl; thereo means for'manually moving said anchoring bars, .and resilient means hair ing operative relation to said drawer engaging means andsaid anchoring bars for retaining the panel membernormally in an upright position within the drawer.

" CLAUDE COOPER. 

